Living-vase Bromeliad

Light: Medium to high light is required for growth. Low light levels can be tolerated for several months. Do not place in direct sunlight. When set outside, select a shady location.

Water: Keep central rosette of foliage filled with water. Moisten soil when surface begins to feel dry to the touch.

Fertilizer: Fertilizer can be absorbed by roots and leaves at the central cup. Apply a house-plant product at one-half strength monthly during warm months.

Propagation: Commercially propagated through tissue culture. Home growers can obtain new plants by removing offshoots that form at the base of older plants.

Special features: A brand-new European introduction for Central Florida formed by hybridizing two durable and already popular bromeliads. Beware of the spines along the leaves until ''Fredricka,'' another new introduction without the prickles, can be reproduced and marketed. The true flowers are a clear blue and arise from the intense pink inflorescence. The flowers last only a short time but the inflorescence remains attractive for up to six months.